Xanthe Hancox
His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. Revelation 19:12
“Crown him with many crowns” has always been one of my personal favourite hymns. It’s such a magnificent description of Jesus Christ set to a particularly stirring melody. Unlike most of the hymns we’ve looked at which had one author, this one has two. Matthew Bridges started it in 1851 and Godfrey Thring continued its development 23 years later in 1874.
Bridges was an Anglican clergyman who converted to Roman Catholicism at age 48 and, at age 51, wrote six verses of “Crown him with many crowns.” Some years later, Godfrey Thring, an Anglican clergyman, thought that the hymn needed a verse celebrating the resurrection, so he wrote the one that begins, "Crown him the Lord of life, who triumphed o'er the grave" and additional verses as well.
Today, there are as many different combinations of verses as there are hymnals, but the theme of Christ’s kingship is unmistakable:
Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity
Jesus is the sovereign ruler over all things, we read about it throughout the Bible. He told his disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" (Matthew 28:18). Paul said, "All things were created through him and for him" (Colossians 1:16). The author of Hebrews wrote, "he upholds the universe by the word of his power" (Hebrews 1:3). His name is above all other names (Philippians. 2:10–11). The many crowns that he wears in Revelation 19:12 are an expression of his absolute and unlimited sovereignty.
Jesus Christ, once crowned with thorns and now crowned with glory and honour will, when he returns, hold every crown of authority by right and by title. And it will be our unspeakable joy to join with the angelic host in praise for our King.
Prayer: Praise You God, for being my victorious King. May I never forget your eternal victory! I look forward to the day when you will be lifted high throughout all the earth! Amen
Here’s a recording of ‘Crown him with many crowns’ sung at Westminster Abbey.